Word Origin & History

philology late 14c., "love of learning," from O.Fr. philologie, from L. philologia "love of learning, love of letters," from Gk. philologia "love of discussion, learning, and literature," from philo- "loving" + logos "word, speech." Meaning "science of language" is first attested 1716; this confusing secondary sense has never been popular in the U.S., where linguistics (q.v.) is preferred.

Example Sentences for philological

The dialogue is also a satire on the philological fancies of the day.

Philological grounds for the above identification are not wanting.

But there is also a philological question which must be discussed in connection.

Lavengro is a philological book, a poem if you choose to call it so.

“Ahn” became the palladium of English philological education.

It is a philological fact that if may stand instead of since.

This view is unassailable on physical and philological grounds.

I don't forget what you say about the philological part of my business.

For philological purposes it is not worth so much as any edition of Grose.